2014-07-05

During the Edo period (1603 to 1868) rural Kabuki
musicals took place during the agricultural off season; for example
after the rice harvest. Originally these rural musicals took place in
temporary buildings set up in rice fields or open spaces, but later came
to take place in specific buildings or stages within the precincts of
Shinto Shrines. Although Kabuki is believed to have originate in Kyoto
in the 17th century, rural Kabuki musicals probably have their roots in a
much older continental tradition.
The following photos depict the re-thatching of a rural Kabuki hall
built in 1777 in Hyogo Prefecture. The building features a stone
foundation, timber frame, bamboo lattice with earthen plaster walls, and
prominent thatch roof. Ikuya Sagara-san's Kusakanmuri was responsible for re-thatching the roof.